Longtime Pasco resident Joseph Diaz
looks forward to the All Senior Picnic
every year.
“It’s a day of fun and excitement. It’s a
day to see friends you haven’t seen in
years,” the 74-year-old said recently during
a break from playing cards at the Pasco
Senior Center.
Diaz will be one of about 1,000 other
Tri-City senior citizens and their families
expected to attend this year’s 23rd annual
All Senior Picnic.
All ages are welcome at the annual
indoor event, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept. 15 at the TRAC facility, 6600 Burden
Blvd., in Pasco.
The picnic rotates around the Tri-Cities,
and this year is Pasco’s turn to play host to
the event that relies on more than 100 volunteers and city staffers to put it together.
Next year Richland will host and in
2018 it will be Kennewick’s turn again.
The event includes a meal, live entertainment and door prizes.
“We have seniors who come from all
over to attend,” said Vince Guerrero,
Pasco’s recreation specialist.
This year’s menu will feature pulled
chicken, potato salad, baked beans, an ice
cream bar and Coca Cola beverages.
The Seattle-based Funaddicts, a fourperson cover band, will provide the music.
The group plays rock, country, oldies,
blues and contemporary pop music spanning generations, from 50s to 60s, to modern hits.
“We want to encourage everyone to get
out on the floor and dance,” Guerrero said.
And that includes the kids. The familyfriendly event is aimed at all ages, he said.
uPICNIC, Page 8

Mary Blomberg of Kennewick, clockwise from left, Betsy Deane of Pasco,
Dottie Lassiter of West Richland, Bev Hernandez of Kennewick, Christine
Nichols of Richland and Carol Sue Perkins of Pasco, meet at the Richland
Community Center to discuss ways to promote Initiative 877 that would
allow grandparents to petition the courts for visitation of grandchildren.
This is their second attempt to collect signatures to get an initiative
passed.

Grandparents continue effort
to change state law
BY KRISTINA LORD
editor@tcjournal.biz

A group of Tri-City grandparents and
supporters hasn’t given up efforts to
change the state’s law on grandparents’
rights.
They collected almost 150,000 signatures in support earlier this year, but it
wasn’t enough to get Initiative 1431 on
the November ballot. The initiative
would give grandparents legal standing
to petition a court for visitation rights if
they are being unreasonably kept from
their grandchildren.
The grandparents and other supporters
now are back with Initiative 877 and “a

lot more confident” they’ll be successful
in collecting the required 247,000 signatures by Dec. 30 so it can head to the
2017 Legislature, said Mary Blomberg
of Kennewick, who is helping to lead the
effort.
“We have to keep the pressure on,”
she said, saying 5,000 signature collection forms have been handed out to volunteers.
An initiative is a way for the people,
rather than the state Legislature, to enact
new laws. The Legislature may enact the
initiative into law, or may send it to the
general election ballot for a vote of the
people.
uGRANDPARENTS, Page 2

Elder abuse cases on rise
across state, nation
BY JEFF MORROW
for Senior Times

The number of state and national adult
abuse cases continue to climb at an
alarming rate. And many more cases
aren’t even getting reported, officials
said.
“The National Adult Protective
Services Association website states that
only 1 in 44 cases of financial exploitation are actually reported,” said Kathy
Morgan, chief of field operations for
Department of Social and Health

Services’ Home and Community
Services.
Many senior citizens may be too
scared to complain to anyone because
they depend on their caregiver.
“I believe the full extent of elder abuse
is not known. It’s the ones that linger
along that we don’t know about,” said
Phil Lemley, a Richland city councilman
who serves on the board of the state
Council on Aging and as a member of the
Southeastern Washington Aging and
Long Term Care Council of Governments.
uABUSE, Page 14

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from local professionals, educators and
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The goal of these pieces is to share useful tips and knowledge helpful to seniors.
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If there is news you’d like Senior Times
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Tri-City grandparents and other supporters are promoting Initiative
877 and feel confident they can collect the required 247,000 signatures by Dec. 30 so it can head to the 2017 Legislature.

GRANDPARENTS, From page 1
The new initiative has the same wording as the previous one.
“Legislators need to know how many
people out there are concerned about this
issue,” said Carol Sue Perkins of Pasco.
Perkins encourages others around the
state and in the Tri-Cities to help with the
effort, whether it’s manning booths at
area events, fairs or farmers markets to
collect signatures, or writing letters to
get the word out.
“There’s so many things you can do
that don’t require going door to door,”
she said. “Without this law, judges can
do nothing. It’s so imperative.”
Christine Nichols of Richland is determined to get the initiative passed so she
can see her granddaughter again.
She told the Senior Times earlier this
year that her granddaughter had lived
with her from the time she was a baby
until last November, when she was not
returned by the father’s family after
going to have holiday pictures taken.
She’s seen her one time since then.
Nichols said her daughter, who struggles with mental illness, left her 8-yearold granddaughter with her as a baby and
would come in and out of her life sporadically.
But the father’s family has kept the
child from Nichols, who has no visitation rights under the law.
“I just sent over 80 newspapers a letter
to the editor all through Washington
state. I have made contact with every
senator and every legislator in
Washington state,” Nichols said.
In 2000, Washington’s visitation laws
were dismantled by the U.S. Supreme
Court, which ruled they were too broad
and unconstitutionally interfered with
parenting rights in Troxel v. Granville.
In that case, the Troxel’s son committed suicide and the daughter-in-law started withholding the children from the
grandparents. A judge granted them visitation, but the daughter-in-law appealed
and the Appellate Court sent the case to
the Supreme Court.
Visitation rights for any third party,
including grandparents, have been in
flux ever since.
Nichols said the old law was too broad
and that I-877 is far more specific.
“It’s a family issue but now it’s got to
be a political issue to have the law
changed,” she said.
The initiative states that only third
party nonparents who are a relative by
blood or law may petition the court. In
addition, the petitioner must have had a
substantial relationship for at least two
years, or for half of their life, if they are
under 2 years old.
For more information, go to giftsinwastate.org, look for “Initiative 877
Children Need Grandparents” on
Facebook, call 509-820-2130 or send an
email to grandparentsrights300@yahoo.
com.

Senior Times • September 2016

Richland barber has no plans to cut 50-year career short
BY JESSICA HOEFER
for Senior Times

When Aaron Hines and his three
younger brothers needed a haircut,
their dad would plop them down in
the kitchen chair and give them a
trim.
“And then my dad decided I should
cut their hair so he didn’t have to, and
that was with old hand clippers,” said
Hines, 83, who celebrated 50 years as
a professional barber in July. “So
after I got to cutting my brothers’ hair
and doing a pretty fair job, friends
and neighbors thought maybe I
should cut their hair as well, and
sometimes they tipped me—and I
loved it.”
Hines was 14 at the time, and
although he enjoyed cutting hair, he
ventured down different career paths,
trying his hand as an electrician,
carpenter, and even a minister. At one
point during the Eisenhower
administration, he landed a job at
Boeing and helped build the first Air
Force One.

“It’s the best
decision I ever
made.”
- Aaron Hines,
on becoming a barber
“I did a lot of different things,” he
said, laughing at the memories.
Then in 1965, while changing a
tractor tire, Hines injured his back.
Washington State wanted to send him
through a rehabilitation program, and
suggested he attend business school.
“And I said, ‘No, I want to be a
barber.’ And it’s the best decision I
ever made,” he said.
At 33 years old, Hines started work
at Ganzel’s Barber Shop in Richland,
which has been serving the
community since 1944. There were

In July, 83-year-old Aaron Hines celebrated 50 years as a professional
barber. He works part time at Ganzel’s Barber Shop in Richland where
he started his career.

17 barbers and 15 barber chairs then,
he said. As a newbie, he had to
compete for clients, but he quickly
learned how to connect with
customers so his chair didn’t stay
empty for long.
“I developed a system for
remembering names while I cut hair,
and I’d make notes so the next time
they came through the door, I would
call them by name and it’d give me
an edge,” he said.
In the 1970s, Hines left the TriCities and moved near Eastern
Washington University in Cheney
where he leased a salon on campus
for 13 years before moving back and
buying Ganzel’s Barber Shop with a
partner, Dave Bishop.
By 1995, Hines was ready to retire,
and he sold his portion of the business
to his partner.
“But I didn’t like (retirement),” he
said. “So I bought a hair salon in
Kennewick named Hair Designers. I
owned that for about five years.”
When he sold that salon, he came

509-582-7800

www.VisitingAngels.com/Kennewick

back to where his roots were: Ganzel’s
Barber Shop, which is now owned by
Freddy Mitzel, who bought it in
2014.
“I get along great with Freddy,”
Hines said.
Along with a new owner, the
barbershop has gone through changes,
including opening up the space.

3

Today, there are five chairs and three
barbers—although Hines said they
could use more. Mitzel and one other
employee are full time, and Hines
works 14 hours a week, and only in
the mornings, Tuesday through
Friday.
“I open at 8 o’clock and by noon
I’m gone,” he said, adding that he
stays busy his entire shift. “I had four
people waiting at the door for me this
morning.”
Walk-ins are welcome, and
Ganzel’s Barber Shop, at 747 The
Parkway in Richland, is open Monday
through Saturday.
During his shift, Hines said he runs
an early bird special for the first hour,
charging $12 for a basic cut. After
that, the price goes up to $14. Other
services, such as beard trims, which
cost $5, are available.
“I’ve done a lot of Caesar cuts,”
said Hines, reflecting on popular
styles over the years. “As far as
favorites go, mine has to be the
business man’s haircut. That’s tapered
around the sides and back. I do a lot
of elderly men’s hair, and I thoroughly
enjoy that. We relate well. I enjoy
visiting with them. I understand when
they try to describe what they want.
It’s a piece of cake—and I like cake.”
uBARBER, Page 6

to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at the Pasco
Eagles Club, 2829 W. Sylvester St.
in Pasco.
Larry Bunch directs the band,
which plays a variety of songs
including popular swing-style music.
Cost is $8 per person at the door.
The kitchen is open for dinner from
5 to 8 p.m.
Call 509-586-7609 or email beth
trost@yahoo.com for more information.

AARP offering free
‘Money Smarts’ class

AARP is offering a free class
called “Money Smarts” from 8 a.m.
to noon Wednesday, Oct 26 at the
Three Rivers Convention Center,
7016 W. Grandridge Blvd.,
Kennewick.
Learn ways to take control of your
financial future, such as how to
spend less, invest for your future and
outwit the latest scams and schemes.
The event is free, but space is limited and registration is required.
Breakfast is included at the event.
For more information and to register,
call 888-687-2277 or email
waaarp@aarp.org.

Kennewick offers free
admission to school events

The Kennewick School District is
offering senior citizens the chance to

5

Four-star general reunites
with Richland teacher

Of the many fans who met with
legendary “warrior monk” Gen.
James Mattis during his recent
visit to Washington
State University, perhaps few
stood out as much as Rex Davis of
Pullman.
That’s because, from 1955 to
1960, Davis was Mattis’ grade
school PE teacher in Richland.
The retired four-star Marine
Corps general who once led the
United States’ most high profile
military command was a student at
Jason Lee Elementary School,
where Davis had him climbing
ropes, doing jumping jacks and
playing kickball.
Fifty-six years later, the two
were reacquainted when Davis
attended a reception hosted by
WSU’s Office of the Provost.
“I remember how you used to
blow that whistle,” said a jocular
join its Gold Card Club and be
admitted free to all in-district
Associated Student Body-sponsored
public events, including athletic
competitions, held at Kennewick
middle and high schools.
To qualify, applicants must be
retired from full-time employment,

Ex-Washington State University
tennis coach Rex Davis, left, with
his former PE student, retired Gen.
James Mattis. (Courtesy Robert
Hubner, WSU Photo Services)

Mattis, 65.
After teaching PE in grade
school and high school, Davis,
now 84, became a celebrated tennis coach at WSU until retiring in
1994.
“I’ve had many, many students
over the years,” he said. “But I
still remember how well (Gen.
Mattis) could climb those ropes.”
age 65 years or older and a resident
of the district.
Applications may be picked up at
the KSD Administration office, 1000
W. Fourth Ave. in Kennewick.
Senior citizens who applied for
and received cards last year may
continue to use them.

Get local senior news every
month in your mailbox

To subscribe, simply fill out the form below. Please notify our
office of any address change during your subscription, as the
paper will not be forwarded should you move.
Make checks payable to Senior Times.

Tri-City barbershop chorus lifts voices in harmony
BY DORI O’NEAL
for Senior Times

The Columbia River Chordsmen
know just how to blend their voices,
whether as a barbershop quartet, or
the entire group singing in harmony
together.
“Harmony
is
the
unique
opportunity to mix pitches in such a
way as to spontaneously create new
pitches from room resonance,” said
Will Talbot, who’s been a member of
the group for seven months.

“Just hitting
chords together is
a balm when they
are done right.”
- Will Talbot,
Columbia River Chordsmen
“Anytime we gather together to
form something greater than the sum
of the people involved, it can be
de-stressful. Just hitting chords
together is a balm when they are
done right.”
Thirty-five men make up the a

capella group who range in age from
18 to 83. But don’t think women
aren’t allowed. What makes harmony
work well are all those harmonic
pitches in vocal range, but putting
male and female voices together like
that just doesn’t work, said member
Roy Tidwell, who has been a member
since 2004 and has been a musician
since 1974.
“We frequently perform in
conjunction with the (Mid-Columbia)
Rolling Hills Chorus ladies group,”
he said. “But we seldom sing together
because of the difference in voice
range.”
The Chordsmen formed in 2002
with just a few members and have
grown into a regional group, which
is affiliated with the national
Barbershop Harmony Society.
The Chordsmen usually split their
performances into several quartet
groups, but a couple times a year
perform together in concerts around
the Tri-Cities. They also perform at
retirement centers and for other
special occasions around the area,
Tidwell said.
“This is a challenging hobby that
is fun as well as character building,”
Tidwell said. “The craft is unique in
itself, providing four-part harmony
in the unique barbershop style. We

Thirty-five men make up the Columbia River Chordsmen who range in
age from 18 to 83. They welcome all male voices of any age to join
their ranks. No experience is necessary. (Courtesy Columbia River
Chordsmen)

have performed several times in the
past few months at rest homes and
just completed a stint of about 30
singing Valentines along with a few
Mother’s Day presentations. We are
currently working on Christmas
music but have not firmed up a date
for that concert.”
There is something unique about
adding the flavor of voicing and
mixing in four different pitches,
Tidwell said.
“Even in a women-only group

there still has to be a match in texture
with each other,” he said. “If four
people hit the pitch dead center to
each other, match the vowel
formation perfectly, find the exact
unique character of timbre (tone
quality), and balance the strength of
sound coming from each, a wondrous
sound emanates.”
The Columbia River Chordsmen
welcome all male voices of any age
to join their ranks. No experience is
necessary. Weekly rehearsals are
from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at
Columbia Basin College.
For more information, call 509547-0837 or go online to
columbiariverchordsmen.com.
BARBER, From page 3
Hines said he’s cut the hair of a lot
of prestigious people over the course
of five decades. Because of Hanford,
many government officials stopped
by Ganzel’s Barber Shop, including
a five-star general who worked at the
Pentagon, he said.
Today, Hines’ customers consist of
local boys and men, but he’s a
licensed cosmetologist and used to
cut hair for women at Eastern
Washington University. He also
colors his wife’s hair and cut his four
kids’ hair.
“I raised three boys, and they
hated having a dad for a barber back
in the days of long hair,” he said with
a chuckle. “Sometimes I gave them a
choice: You get your grades up and
I’ll leave it a little longer.”
Hines said whatever the cut, he
takes pride in his work. He loves his
customers and can’t imagine doing
anything else.
“I don’t plan on stopping,” he
said. “If I can make it 17 more
years, I’ll be the first 100-year-old
barber in the Tri-Cities.”

Senior Times • September 2016

7

Lucky ducks race to raise money for Tri-City charities
BY JEFF MORROW
for Senior Times

Playing with rubber duckies isn’t
just for little kids in the bathtub.
For more than a quarter of a century, Tri-City adults have been racing
the plastic yellow toys in the name of
charity.
Tri-City Rotarians’ 28th annual
Mid-Columbia Duck Race is Saturday,
Oct. 8, in Kennewick’s Columbia
Park. The event has raised more than
$2 million.
“The money we raise stays in the
community,” said Rick Routh, chairman for the Duck Race Board and
Committee. “Probably each year, for
the last several years, the net proceeds
have been between $100,000 and
$115,000.”
Here’s how it works: Each duck
race ticket costs $5. You must be 18
or older to buy one. Each ticket is
assigned to a corresponding duck.
The ducks will be dumped into the
Columbia River at noon Oct. 8. If
your lucky duck gets to the finish line
ahead of the flock, you win one of 44
prizes.
The owner of the first duck across
the finish line wins the grand prize, a
new 2016 Toyota Prius Two.
Routh is quick to point out the
event wouldn’t happen without the
support of the local business community.
“Banner Bank and Toyota of TriCities are our two premier event sponsors,” he said.
Toyota of Tri-Cities donated the
grand prize, and more than 40 other
businesses also have donated prizes.

Thousands of ducks dumped into the Columbia River race to the finish
line in the annual Mid-Columbia Duck Race, set this year for Saturday,
Oct. 8. Ducks cost $5 each. Grand prize is a 2016 Toyota Prius Two.
(Courtesy Mid-Columbia Duck Race)

tion founded in 1905 aims to bring
together business and professional
leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance
goodwill and peace around the world.
All six clubs have their own special
fundraisers, said Routh.
“For instance, Columbia Center
Rotary runs the Bingo Boulevard
business in Kennewick,” said Routh,
a member of the Tri-Cities Sunrise
Rotary. “Our particular club uses the
duck race as our big event.”
He says Sunrise Rotary has sold the
most tickets for the past 13 to 14
years.
“We average about 150 to 160 tickets sold with our 85 members,” Routh
said.
All six clubs are involved in the
duck race, selling tickets and planning it.
“While they’re all individual clubs,
the duck race is owned collectively by
all six clubs,” Routh said. “Each club
provides a member to be on the board
each year.”
In the Tri-Cities, you could go to a
Rotary meeting every day of the work

week, Monday through Friday, if you
wanted to.
Routh, who runs Routh Consulting
Engineers in Pasco, has been a
Rotarian for 25 years.
“When it was started back in
Illinois, you could have no more than
one person from the same industry
involved,” said Routh. “That’s obviously changed. But you also need to
have the discretionary money to help

with service projects.”
Rotarians come from all walks of
life, he said.
Most are people who own or run
businesses, or are involved in business, who want to do give back to
their community.
“There is quite an array of people
involved in the Tri-Cities clubs,” he
said.
And many of those people look
forward to working on the MidColumbia Duck Race.
“It’s kind of a spectacle,” said
Routh. “You put 40,000 rubber ducks
into a Conex receptacle, then dump
them into the water. First duck down
the funnel wins the grand prize.”

Charities benefit

When it comes time to distribute
the money back to the clubs, the payout percentage is based on how many
tickets the club sells.
“The proceeds from the race are
returned to each club in proportion to
each club’s ticket sales,” said Routh.
It’s up to each club to determine
which charity or charities that benefit.
“Our club, we tend to rotate charities, although some get something
every year,” said Routh. “Some
groups are given something every
third year.”
uDUCKS, Page 10

8

Senior Times • September 2016

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Joseph Diaz, 74, of Pasco, wears one of the buttons now on sale for
the 23rd annual All Senior Picnic on Sept. 15. He said he enjoys the
annual event and looks forward to the music, food and fellowship.

PICNIC, From page 1
Between 70 to 100 prizes are given
away at the picnic, many from the 40
or so participating vendors who will
offer informational booths, Guerrero
said.
“It’s very informative and lucrative,” Diaz said.
Tri-Tech Skills Center radio broadcasting instructor Ed Dailey, who
also hosts the “Legends of Country”
radio program, will be the event
emcee.
The budget for this year’s picnic is
$13,000 to $15,000 and sponsors and
vendors are still needed, organizers
say.
Pacific Crest Planning is a major
sponsor. The Kennewick financial
planning firm has plans to sponsor
the picnic for three years, said Kevin
Gunn, a risk management specialist
with the company. “My heart is in
the senior community,” he said.
Gunn has big plans for the picnic’s future, wanting to shift the
focus from seniors to multigenerational families, so more seniors feel
comfortable bringing their families
and grandchildren. He’d also like to
make sure the vendor booths are
more engaging and fun by offering

games, crafts or other activities.
He also envisions service club
involvement and encouraging Rotary,
Lions or Kiwanis club members to
sell tickets to promote the picnic in
years to come.
Cost is $7 in advance or $10 at the
door. Attendees receive a button to
wear that features a number, which is
used for door prizes.
Ben Franklin Transit will offer
shuttle services from each city.
Tickets can be bought at the
Kennewick Senior Center, Pasco
Senior Center and Richland
Community Center.

Buttons for the All Senior Picnic
cost is $7 in advance or $10 at
the door. Each button is numbered, which is used for awarding door prizes.

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Senior Times • September 2016

9

Pasco Senior Center

1315 N. Seventh Ave., Pasco • 509-545-3459

BY SENIOR TIMES STAFF
news@tcjournal.biz

Get into the spirit of the holiday
season with a day trip to the
Leavenworth Christmas Lighting
Festival on Saturday, Dec. 3.
The bus departs at 9 a.m. from the
parking lot at Pasco City Hall, travels
to the Richland Community Center to
pick up more guests and then heads
to the Bavarian-themed town.
You will have the day to explore
and eat.
The return trip home will be about
10:30 p.m.
Cost is $63 for Pasco residents,
$79 for others. Deadline to register is
Sunday, Nov. 20. Call 509-545-3456
or visit pascoparksandrec.com.

Health clinics

Come in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, for a free hearing
screening and to get hearing aids
checked at the Pasco Senior Center.
An appointment is necessary and can
be made by calling 509-545-3459.
Join staff from the Edith Bishel
Center for the Blind and Visually
Impaired to learn about services
available to help those experiencing
vision loss live a full and independent life. Demonstrations of low
vision aids and such as talking watches and magnifiers are available. The
free session is 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 23, at the Pasco Senior
Center. An RSVP is recommended by
calling 509-545-3459.
Dr. Nicholas Gubler of MidColumbia Eyecare Center in Pasco
will discuss age-related eye diseases
and conditions and offer tips on how
to keep eyes healthy and working
well into the golden years. The free

talk is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Pasco
Senior Center. An RSVP is recommended by calling 509-545-3459.
Keeping your feet healthy is essential as you age. Those 60 and older
can participate in the Pasco Senior
Center’s foot care program, Happy
Feet, for Franklin County and
Burbank residents. A registered nurse
will inspect your feet for early detection of corns, calluses, ingrown toenails and other minor foot problems.
The nurse also will trim your toenails, apply lotion and provide
instruction on properly caring for
your feet at home. The service is free,
but there is a suggested donation of
$12 to $15 per person. The program
is available by appointment only
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through
Thursday. Call 509-545-3459 to register.

Wood carving class

Experienced wood carver Gordon
Whitson will guide beginners and
novice carvers ages 30 and up through
basic techniques of the craft, though
carvers of all levels are welcome to
join the free drop-in class at the
Pasco Senior Center.
Beginners will have the opportunity to use knives and other carving
tools without having to buy them.
Tools are in limited supply.
Class time is 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays
through December.

Drop-in billiards

Looking for a place to play pool?
The Pasco Senior Center offers open
pool play for adults 18 and over.
Stop in at the front desk to get set
up between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Friday.

Games and activities at the Pasco Senior Center
Activity

Day

Time

COST

Basin Wood
Carvers

Thurs.

1 - 4 p.m.

Free

Bridge

Thurs.

9 a.m. - noon

50¢ / day

China Painting

Tues.

9 a.m. - noon

50¢ / day

Cribbage

Wed. & Fri.

1 - 3 p.m.

50¢ / day

Billiards

Mon. - Fri.

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. $1 / day

Mexican Train
Dominos

Thurs.

1 - 4 p.m.

Free

Pinochle

Tues. & Fri.

7 - 9 p.m.

$1 / day

Computer Lab

Mon. - Fri.

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free;
15¢/copy

Fitness activities

The Pasco Senior Center’s Enhance
Fitness program is designed for
“mature individuals” and focuses on
stretching, flexibility, balance, low
impact aerobics and strength training.

The class runs from 10 to 11 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Cost for the monthly class is $33 for
Pasco residents, $41 for others. Call
509-545-3456 to register.

JOINT REPAIR AND
RESTORATION

with Stem Cell and Placenta transplant therapy. This is the most
comprehensive program available. Combination therapy works in a
synergistic manner for faster healing.
TREATMENT

Take a day trip to the Grand Coulee
Dam on Saturday, Sept. 24.
The trip departs at 11 a.m. from the
Kennewick Senior Center and returns
about midnight. Trip includes transportation, buffet-style dinner at Pepper
Jack’s Restaurant, Dry Falls
Interpretive Center visit and dam’s
laser light show.
Cost is $84. Register on the web at
kennewickreacreation.com or call
509-585-4303.

Fitness

Sign up for adult golf lessons and
let the pros help you with your grip,
stance, balance and posture. Each
golfer will learn at his/her own pace.
The class is 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 3-24 or
Nov. 5-26 at Columbia Park Golf
Links, 2701 Columbia Park Trail,
Kennewick. Cost is $76 for residents,
$79 for others. Ages 16 and up.
Learn basic jitterbug dancing each

Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7-28 at
the Kennewick Senior Center, 500 S.
Auburn St. Cost is $39 for residents,
$58.50 for others. All ages welcome.
Get your steps in at the air-conditioned Southridge Sports Complex at
2901 Southridge Blvd. The facility is
open from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays
for walkers. Cost is $1 per person, per
day.
The Back to Basics Fitness class
features a low-impact and motivational workout combining toning and
firming with light cardio to increase
the heart rate and improve core
strength. Workouts can be modified to
all fitness levels and abilities. Classes
are 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday,
Wednesday and Friday. Cost is $41 for
Kennewick residents and $61 for all
others. Fees based on nine-week session.

Health clinics

The Kennewick Fire Department
provides free blood pressure checks at
the Kennewick Senior Center the third

cuts the second and fourth Wednesday
of every month from 9-11 a.m. Styling
is not included and appointments are
required. Call 509-585-4303.

DUCKS, From page 7

Industries, Goodwill Industries of
the Columbia, Domestic Violence
Services, Tri-Cities Cancer Center
and Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton
and Franklin Counties.
Duck tickets can be bought an
hour before the event, said Routh.
But if you want to get yours
between now and then, you can buy
them at Grigg’s Department Store
and all Tri-City area Ace Hardware
stores; Kennewick Ranch & Home;
Garrison’s Home Appliance Center;
Toyota of Tri-Cities; and all Tri-City
area Banner Bank branches.

And there have been instances
when charities have come to a
Rotary and ask for money during
hard times. It’s up to each Rotary’s
individual board to decide on helping and how much money to donate.
And the list of organizations that
have benefitted from the duck race
event is long, with more than 50 of
them listed on the tcduckrace.com
website. Recipients include Grace
Clinic, American Red Cross, Special
Olympics, Junior Achievement, Pet
Over Population Prevention, TriCity Gospel Mission, Columbia

Are you a senior with
an interesting story
or unique talent?
Let us know!
We would love to
feature you in an
upcoming issue of
the Senior Times.
Email
editor@tcjournal.biz

Senior Times • September 2016

11

Yakima Valley families team up to remodel Prosser assisted living home
BY KRISTINA LORD
editor@tcjournal.biz

A Prosser assisted living facility has
undergone a major expansion and
remodel as well as a name change,
thanks to the partnership of two longtime Yakima Valley families.
The $2 million in improvements at
Amber Hills Assisted Living, formerly
Sheffield Manor, finished up about a
month ago under the watchful eyes of
the brother teams of Andy and Bill
Den Hoed and Jeff and Randy Hyatt.

“There’s nothing
better that you can
do than help people
age gracefully.”
- Andy Den Hoed,
Amber Hills
Assisted Living
Since 1944, Hyatt Family Facilities
has operated skilled nursing facilities
in the Yakima Valley. The Den Hoed
family are longtime Prosser residents
who own Den Hoed Wine Estates.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s
nothing better that you can do than
help people age gracefully. That’s what
my main drive is. It’s not just to have a
factory where you hold people, without any feeling, where they don’t feel
important. We want to make people
feel important,” said Andy Den Hoed.
The addition of two new wings and
12 rooms at the facility at 125 N.
Wamba Road in Prosser will accommodate 40 residents.
New features include an in-house
salon, spa room with walk-in jacuzzi,
new family entertainment room, a new
bus with easy wheelchair and walker
access and the latest call assist for
enhanced safety.
Andy Den Hoed thinks about his
parents when talking about assisted
living facilities.
“As far as I’m concerned, my parents are in their 80s and their mind still
thinks just like I think. They want a
nice place to live, they want fun stuff
to do, they want activities. It’s just
their bodies aren’t as able to do the
things that I can so that’s why they

Subscriptions
available.

(509) 737-8778

need to go into assisted living homes.
And my main focus is going to be on
activity, being active and having a
beautiful place for them to age in,” he
said.
Randy Hyatt is fourth generation of
a family involved in the business of
senior care facilities. “We’ve kind of
got it figured out,” he said, explaining
why the Den Hoeds teamed up with
the Hyatts on the Prosser project.
“We’ve got a great facility filled
with a lot of staff who have been there
a long time. Longevity equals experience. We’ve got great partners who are
passionate. We’ve got management
— we just didn’t start doing this last
week — we have experienced operations, a seasoned staff and a nice place
to stay. All that should equate to a great
experience for a family member,”
Randy Hyatt said.
Andy Den Hoed said he wants to
attract and serve residents from the
Tri-Cities to Yakima. “We’re right now
drawing from Zillah to Benton City.
I’d like to get people from the TriCities and maybe Seattle because a lot
of people love Prosser because of the
wine business. Prosser’s got a lot going
on and I hope we can give something
back to the community,” he said.
Amber Hills’ 5.5-acre lot borders 30
acres along the Yakima River where
Andy Den Hoed hopes someday to
build an independent living facility. “I
think there’s a need for that, too,” he
said.
The newly remodeled facility
opened Aug. 15. For more information
go to hyattfamilyfacilities.com/amberhills or call 509-786-3100.

The remodel and expansion at Amber Hills Assisted Living facility in
Prosser included the addition of 12 new rooms, an in-house salon, spa
room with walk-in jacuzzi, new family entertainment room, a new bus
with easy wheelchair and walker access and the latest call assist for
enhanced safety.

Join a volunteer-led walk for a conversation about and a good look at
some of Richland’s public art. What is
it and how does it enrich our lives?
Walks are weather permitting. The
free walk is 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept.
18. Meet in lobby of Richland
Community Center.
Join geologist-author Bruce
Bjornstad on a bus tour Saturday, Oct.
1 to Palouse Falls, which includes two
separate sections of the Snake River
canyon. One of the sections features
giant current ripples near Windust
Park before entering the mysterious
Devils Canyon chasm. From there the
route passes through Washtucna
Coulee and flood-streamlined Palouse
hills to infamous Palouse Falls. On
the return trip will be an optional, easy
two-mile roundtrip hike along the
level Columbia Plateau Trail to witness the giant 40-story Lake Sacajawea
Flood Bar that towers over the Snake
River. Cost is $78 and includes bus

Not sure what to do with your old
greeting cards? If you have a stack of
cards and can’t bear to throw them
away, come learn how to recycle.
Class is 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday,
Sept. 19 at the Richland Community
Center. To register, call 509-9427529.

A team of Washington State
University researchers reported a
significant increase in the brain of
antioxidant glutathione after it is
administered via nasal spray.
Glutathione deficiency has been
documented in a number of central
nervous system disorders, including
Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disease.
The 15 study participants, each
with mid-stage Parkinson’s, gave
themselves a single dose of the antioxidant nasal spray while undergoing magnetic resonance spectroscopy, according to a WSU news
release. Using brain scans of partici-

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pants before the dose and at intervals in the hour following, the
researchers observed how well the
antioxidant was delivered across the
blood-brain barrier.
The study was the first of its kind
to demonstrate a noninvasive, selfadministered therapy that has potential for boosting glutathione levels
in the brain, WSU reported. A longterm study is underway, with a new
batch of volunteers who will participate for three months of the therapy.
The research supports WSU’s
land-grant mission to address some
of society’s most complex issues,
specifically developing practical
solutions to challenging problems in
health care delivery, health care
access and disease prevention.

How to beat Str8ts - No single
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How Str8ts
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Like Sudoku,
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Call to Vendors

Here’s an opportunity to meet and talk with hundreds of seniors from
around the Mid-Columbia. As an exhibitor, this one-day event is designed
to showcase your products or services to active and retired seniors, their
families and caregivers who attend. Booth space is limited. Sign up early
to guarantee availability.

Last year, 35,500 cases of alleged
adult abuse were reported in the
state of Washington, according to a
DSHS report.
That’s up from 2011, when 16,600
cases were reported statewide.
Officials with Adult Protective
Services, which investigates the
cases, believe the increase reflects
improved public awareness of the
abuse as well as an aging Baby
Boomer population.
“I think people have always
known about children’s abuse and
the awareness of reporting it.
They’re starting to report adult and

elder abuse,” Morgan said.
Morgan said she can’t provide the
number of elder abuse cases in
Benton or Franklin counties as the
state changed its data system last
year and it’s no longer available.

Financial exploitation

Morgan said many senior citizens
fall prey to financial exploitation.
“Right around 26 percent of our
cases are financial exploitation,”
Morgan said.
Morgan also cites a recent MetLife
study putting the estimated annual
loss of financial abuse nationwide at
$2.9 billion.
More attention needs to be given

to the elderly, Lemley said.
“There are cases of people abusing their parents for their Social
Security money,” he said. “We’re
outliving our money more and more.
And when the money runs out, that’s
when things go bad. We’re all living
longer. The reality is there. It’s a bad
problem, and it’s probably going to
get worse.”

Silver tsunami

Baby Boomers — those born postWorld War II from 1946-64 —make
up 26 percent of the population in
the United States, according to
WebMD.com.
According to a U.S. Census

B u r e a u
report,
the
U.S. population of those
ages 65 and
older in 2016
is 50 million,
or 16 percent
of the country’s populaPhil Lemley
tion.
State Council
The U.S.
on Aging
will continue
to age in what
has been called a Silver Tsunami,
according to projections.
The aging Baby Boom generation
could mean a 75-percent increase in
the number of Americans 65 and
older requiring nursing home care to
about 2.3 million people in 2030, up
from 1.3 million in 2010, according
to the Population Reference Bureau.
Demand for elder care also may
mean a steep rise in the number of
people living with Alzheimer’s or
dementia, which could reach 14 million people by 2050, up from 5 million in 2013, according to the PRB
report.

Watching out for one another

Lemley said it’s important to keep
an eye out for possible signs of elder
abuse because some people don’t
have anyone at all.
Lemley cites the case of a woman
who moved to the Tri-Cities a few
years ago with her husband and son.
“She had a lot of trouble speaking
English,” he said. “Then in a short
period of time, her husband died,
then her son died, leaving her here
all alone.”
The woman visited the Richland
Community Center, trying to get
help, but the language barrier was
too much to overcome, Lemley said.
After a few attempts, Lemley said
the Richland Seniors Association –
of which he is a member – was notified. It determined that for the past
two years, she had no heat in her
home, and she would get through the
winters by putting extra coats and
blankets on her bed at night.
“She needed help with her furnace
at home,” Lemley said. “But it
turned out her furnace was brand
new. She didn’t know how to turn it
on. And she had no one to help her.”

How to help

Officials encourage the public to
report any suspected abuse.
In addition to financial exploitation, other forms of abuse include
physical, sexual, psychological or
emotional, neglect, abandonment,
self-neglect and improper restraint.
uABUSE, Page 15

Senior Times • September 2016
ABUSE, From page 14
Watch for suspicious bruises, sores
or weight loss; a sudden change in
personality; neglect of hygiene, clothing, home, medicine or food; personal
belongings are missing; and verbal
aggression.
People can call 866-ENDHARM
(866-363-4276) if they suspect
abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Adult Protective Services will
send an investigator for an unannounced visit.
The investigator will interview
the alleged victim in private and call
law enforcement if necessary.
It’s about getting the word out,
Morgan said.
“We often find out after bad things
have happened. We have staff doing
community presentations. We work
with senior centers and church
groups. We just try to inform people,
have them looking for the subtle
warnings. We need to take a proactive role,” she said.
Morgan and Lemley hope more
people will step forward to help
their community’s senior citizens.
“We’re trying to bring it to the
attention of the state and at the federal level,” Lemley said. “But if
people don’t report it, it’s a problem.”

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(509) 737-8778

15

Signs and kinds of elder abuse

Call 866-ENDHARM (866-363-4276) if you suspect abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult.
Signs of exploitation

• Sudden changes in bank account
or banking practice, including an
unexplained withdrawal of large
sums of money
• Adding additional names on bank
signature cards
• Unauthorized withdrawal of
money using an ATM card
• Abrupt changes in a will or other
financial documents
• Unexplained disappearance of
money or valuable possessions
• Bills unpaid despite the money
being available to pay them
• Forging a signature on financial
transactions or for the titles of possessions
• Sudden appearance of previously
uninvolved relatives claiming rights
to a vulnerable adult’s possessions
• Unexplained sudden transfer of
assets to a family member or someone outside the family
• Providing services that are not
necessary
• Individual’s report of exploitation

Signs of physical abuse

Signs of mental
mistreatment, emotional
abuse

• Bruises, black eyes, welts,
lacerations and rope marks
• Broken bones
• Open wounds, cuts, punctures,
untreated injuries in various stages of healing
• Broken eyeglasses/frames, or any
physical signs of being punished
or restrained
• Laboratory findings of either an
overdose or under dose medications
• An individual’s report of being
hit, slapped, kicked, mistreated,
sexually assaulted or raped
• Vulnerable adult’s
sudden change
in behavior
• Caregiver’s
refusal to allow
visitors to see a
vulnerable adult
alone

• Being emotionally upset or
agitated
• Being extremely withdrawn and
non-communicative or nonresponsive
• Unusual behavior usually
attributed to dementia, such as
sucking, biting, rocking
• Nervousness around certain
people
• An individual’s report of being
verbally or mentally mistreated

Source: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Through season of change you have kept your
promise of love, honor and respect.
Dementia has brought change, but your
commitment remains strong. Let us help
you to continue to love, honor and respect
during this challenging season.